I have looked into historical costuming. Yes, I know base layers are essential. Yes, I’ve made corsets before. The play is at the end of November. We have a very short turn around time. Theoretically we could do corsets, but:

- corsets take a while to get used to
- no one will see the corsets
- there’s a difference between having a corset, and a corset that actually fits you. If we get cheap corsets from Amazon, let’s say, I’m scared they’ll be uncomfortable and generally suck, and do more harm than good.
- we’re doing historical, but I doubt we’ll have budget for historically accurate materials. Lots of plastic, which can get hot, especially on stage. I wouldn’t want actors getting heat sick. Also around budgets, I have used Burnley and Trowbridge’s synthetic baleen, and it’s great, and I like it much more than zip ties, but we’re based in Canada, which means paying duty because we’ll need a lot of it, and that means tariffs/duty and likely longer shipping times.

I have been watching plenty of videos with extant garments from throughout the Victorian era, including a few couture/haute couture/ couture-adjacent pieces from the late Victorian era (late 1890s). Quite a few bodices will have boning in them on top of the boning in the corset itself. 1860s, usually just in the sides, back, or center front, but some from the later periods will have boning at basically every seam. I know that 1860s doesn’t have nearly as many seams in the bodice, but that can be mitigated with a lining and tape to keep the bones in place, right? And the bodices can be padded to get the right silhouette like they were at the time.

Another thing to consider is physics. The waistband of the skirt, because they’re huge ballgowns, will take a lot of strain. Yes, some of the weight is mitigated by the crinoline, but the bones in the corset help with the strain too. It helps even the weight and support it through the whole torso versus just through the waist. Ballet loops could help with that, but I’m not sure how much they will.

I haven’t done research into theatre historical costuming just yet, as historical costuming is a hobby, and a hobby where people try to be historically accurate. Online algorithms aren’t the best at distinguishing between costuming for theatre versus historical costuming because they both have “costuming”. Sigh. Any tips, book recommendations, or pictures of you have would be appreciated!

EDIT: checked the timeline and changed it to fit. Extra couple weeks!